Ready for the ballroom glitz

GET ready to be dazzled as the sequins and fake tan of Strictly return.

This year’s 12 stars find out who their partners are as it kicks off on BBC1 at 7pm this Saturday.

And new judge Shirley Ballas, 56, will take Len Goodman’s place on the panel alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell and Bruno Tonioli.

Realising she has a tough act to follow, she said: “You can only be the real person that you are. If people like you, then they like you. If they don’t, that’s fine too.”

Revealing her shock at landing the gig, she added: “I did actually fall to my knees. I couldn’t believe it.

“I called my son, Mark, and as soon as he answered, he said, ‘You got it, didn’t you?’ I didn’t even have to say it out loud.”

Shirley said she would be “fun, firm, feisty and fair” in her critiques on the stars. But whose praises will she be singing?

JLS singer Aston Merrygold is the 11/4 favourite to win with bookies William Hill, while Scots comedian Susan Calman is a 50/1 outsider.

Here’s our guide to the field…

Davood Ghadami EastEnders star, 35 Odds 10/1 “I’m really looking forward to Halloween for some reason. It’s an excuse to get really dressed up and have a lot of fun with that. “That’s the one I have always enjoyed watching the most, if I can get that...

Ruth Langsford TV presenter, 57 Odds 40/1 “I’m looking forward to learning to dance properly because I’ve never ever had a dance lesson. “My parents were very good so it will be lovely to do it for them. My dad is no longer with us but I’m sure he...

Jonnie Peacock Paralympian, 24 Odds 8/1 “I am normally really competitive but my expectations are so low I’m not coming into this with a competitive attitude. I’m trying to be the best dancer I can but I don’t think that’s going to be enough to do...

Gemma Atkinson Hollyoaks star, 32 Odds 13/2 “I’m taking part because I want to challenge myself in any way, really. “Anything to do with the gym I’m comfortable with. But anything to do with girly stuff, I’m not. “I’d say my dancing is maybe 4/10 or,...

Chizzy Akudolu Holby City actor, 43 Odds 50/1 “Strictly is just one of the most beautiful shows – it’s fun, it’s a lot of hard work but it’s beautiful, it’s glitzy, it’s glamour, it’s just so sexy. “I’ve got no previous experience, although I did win...

Brian Conley Actor/comedian, 56 Odds 33/1 “My daughter, who is 15, said to me: ‘Dad if you love me, you must do Strictly.’ The last time I danced properly was as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, where I was a 22-stone woman from Baltimore. So I’m all right...

NEW GIRL Judge Shirley